IndiGo has appointed Captain Rohit Rikhye as the new Head of the Operations Control Centre (OCC). He replaces Jason Herter in the first major leadership change since the airline faced significant flight disruptions in December last year.
Following those disruptions, the aviation regulator, DGCA, took strict action in January. This included imposing penalties totaling Rs 22 crore and recommending the dismissal of a senior vice-president.
New Leadership at the OCC
In an internal message sent on Friday, IndiGo confirmed that Rohit Rikhye’s appointment is effective immediately. He will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Isidre Porqueras.
Captain Rikhye is a veteran at the airline, having served for over 11 years. Before this promotion, he held the role of Chief Pilot for Standards, Quality Assurance, and Operations Safety. Meanwhile, Jason Herter will be leaving the company.
Role and Responsibilities
In his new position, Rikhye will lead the OCC, which is the heart of the airline’s daily activities. The department is responsible for:
- Real-time Coordination: Managing and overseeing all flight operations.
- Flight Planning: Handling tracking and dispatching in line with safety rules and air traffic control regulations.
- Staffing: Overseeing crew scheduling and shift rosters.
The airline expressed confidence that Rikhye’s extensive experience in safety and standards will help him succeed in this critical role.
Regulatory Context
On January 22, the civil aviation ministry and the DGCA informed authorities of the steps taken following the December crisis. During these proceedings, it was noted that a senior vice president was ordered to be removed from service, and a substantial fine of Rs 22 crore was issued to the airline for the operational failures.
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